Horns blank unbeaten Lakin

For the second week in a row, the Holcomb Longhorns faced an unbeaten team that featured a high-scoring offense, and for the second straight game, the Longhorn “D” dominated as Holcomb shut out the Lakin Broncs 21-0.

The Broncs came in averaging 40 points a game on 240 yards rushing per game, 310 yards total offense, and the Longhorns held them to 26 total yards on the night, minus 6 in the 2nd half. Holcomb’s “D” produced 44 negative yards and in nine possessions, Lakin punted eight times. The ninth was a kneel-down at the end of the 1st half. The Broncs picked up just three first downs.

After holding Lakin to a three-and-out on the game’s first possession, Holcomb lost one yard on its first play and then lightning halted the proceedings. The field and the stands were cleared as a thunderstorm rolled through Lakin. Play resumed, following a 45-minute delay, and the Longhorns drove 73 yards for the game’s first score, as Trey Gilbert hit Chance Rodriguez with a 12-yard TD pass.

Holcomb’s third possession began on its one yard line and the Longhorns marched to the other end of the field, but came one yard short of the end zone, turning the ball over on downs, late in the 2nd quarter. Holcomb would force Lakin to punt after another three-and-out, getting the ball on the Bronc 34 with 46 seconds to play. Two plays would give the Longhorns a first-and-goal at the six, but Gilbert’s attempt to spike the ball and stop the clock was ruled intentional grounding and two desperation passes fell short, giving the ball back to the Broncs. Lakin knelt down to end the 1st half, trailing Holcomb just 7-0.

Holcomb started the 3rd quarter with a long drive that ended when Lakin’s Diego Davila intercepted a Gilbert pass at the three yard line. It was the 14th time this season, Lakin has picked off an opposing quarterback. Lakin would pick up a first down, but eventually punt, with Holcomb taking over at its 31. Ten plays later, Morss plunged in from one yard out and, following the Chance Rodriguez point-after kick, the Longhorns led 14-0.

Following another three-and-out, Holcomb would drive from its 41 for the game’s last score. Gilbert raced 33 yards for the big play on the drive and later scooted in from 5 yards out. Rodriguez added the PAT and Holcomb led 21-0.

Trey Gilbert threw for 210 yards, with one TD and one INT. The Longhorns rushed for 240 yards and two TDs on 38 carries, led by Reece Morss’ 94 yards on 12 carries.

Lakin falls to 5-1 and begins district play at Cimarron next Friday. Holcomb improves to 5-1 and will begin district play at Kingman. The Eagles are 3-3 and coming off a 30-14 loss to Hesston.